~December 28, 2020 ~ Community News~

Please note: The Federation office is closed Friday, Jan. 1 due to the Legal Holiday. Happy New Year!

Time is running out – get your contributions and pledge payments postmarked by December 31 to get your 2020 tax deduction for charitable donations.

2021 JFGN Annual Community Campaign

TOMORROW BEGINS TODAY to feed the hungry, to provide counseling to many in crisis, to continue to educate our youth, and more with your 2021 Annual Community Campaign gift!  We have received a challenge grant from Estelle and Stuart Price that for every new or increased donation to the Annual Community Campaign, it will be matched dollar-for-dollar up to $25,000. The Annual Community Campaign commitments are at $900,767 towards our goal of $1,375,000. Help us reach this goal to make an impact on our community needs.  CLICK THE DONATE BUTTON TO GIVE TODAY

THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!   Your generous contributions will fulfill our mission to sustain vital social, educational and humanitarian projects locally, around the world and in Israel.   For more information about “Where Your Dollars Go” or to become an Annual Community Campaign Volunteer Contact Karen Deutsch, Annual Campaign Chair, karendeutsch@hotmail.com YOUR GIFT TOUCHES SO MANY LIVES!

Making a tribute or memorial gift is a wonderful way to honor the memory of a loved one, celebrate someone special in your life or commemorate milestones (such as a birthday, wedding, Bar/Bat Mitzvah, or anniversary). We will send an acknowledgment of your gift to the recipient(s) or their family.

Please note: The Zoom link will be emailed 2 hours before each event to those who registered. Contact Renee HERE with any questions or concerns about the Jewish Book Festival.

JFGN Local Programs for the Community

JFGN programs below are brought to you by Renee', Program Director. Prior to each program, the Zoom link will be emailed 2 hours prior to the start of each program to those who RSVP. All programs are in EST time, unless otherwise noted. The registration link will be closed about 30 minutes prior to each program. Please email me if you have any questions or need Zoom help. Please click on the image to make a donation towards programming. If you have an idea for a program or want to be a guest speaker, please contact Renee, Program Director here.

January 2021 Virtual Programs

The Israel Advocacy Committee (IAC) invites the community to attend: Topic: New Map of the Middle East Guest Speaker, Interim Consul General Galit Peleg Monday, Jan. 4, 2021 Noon Register Here Free event for the entire community. Galit is the Interim Consul General for the Consulate General of Israel in Miami. Most recently, she served as the Head of the Department for Public Diplomacy and Academic Affairs at the Consulate General of Israel in New York. Her department was responsible for reaching out to local communities and producing campaigns, events and lectures, to promote Israel’s brand, in NY, NJ, PA, OH, and DE. Galit is also responsible for promoting Israel’s academic relations with local academic institutions in the five states. Read her bio here.

Greater Naples Jewish Book Festival Wednesday, Jan. 6 at 3:00 PM Featuring Citizen 865: The Hunt for Hitler's Hidden Soldiers in America by Debbie Cenziper Register Here. $10 per household. To purchase this book, please visit Barnes & Noble at Waterside Shops. You may also purchase online at Barnesandnoble.com or Amazon.com Sponsored by Jewish Congregation of Marco Island and John R. Wood Properties

Greater Naples Jewish Book Festival Monday, Jan. 11 at 4:00 pm Featuring Donna Has Left the Building  by Susan Jane Gilman Register Here. $10 per household. To purchase this book, please visit Barnes & Noble at Waterside Shops. You may also purchase online at Barnesandnoble.com or Amazon.com Sponsored by Daymaker Hair Salon

Greater Naples Jewish Book Festival Thursday, Jan. 14 at 7:30 pm Featuring White Hot Grief Parade by Alexandra Silber  Register Here. $10 per household. To purchase this book, please visit Barnes & Noble at Waterside Shops. You may also purchase online at Barnesandnoble.com or Amazon.com Sponsored by TheatreZone

A Conversation with Folk Music Legend Jonathan Edwards Thursday, Jan. 21 7:00-8:30 PM. Open to the community Register Here. Before 1971's "Sunshine" established Jonathan Edwards as an acoustic folksinger whose songs combined pop melodies, country roots, and first-rate guitar picking, Jonathan struggled to find his place in the East Coast's folk scene. "[I'd play] six 40-minute sets, six nights a week, every week," he remembers, adding, "but that's where you learn your craft… and how to cook Ramen noodles." In this 'Conversation with...' Jonathan will talk about his life in music, including his songs, his travels and lessons he has learned along the way during his 50 years 'in the business.'  This event is sponsored by MCA and is open and free for everyone to attend.

The Catholic Jewish Dialogue of Collier County invites the community to attend: In Our Time, Nostra Aetate, How Catholics and Jews Built a New Relationship Guest Speaker: Author James M. Barrens. Sunday, Jan. 24 2:30-3:30 pm Register Here Free event. The author is James M. Barrens, who was the Executive Director of the Center for Catholic-Jewish Studies program at St. Leo University. Mr. Barrens will be joining us for this program. Copies of the book may be purchased at Barnes and Noble or on Amazon.com. It is a brief read and gives a good summary of how far we have come over the past 55 years. The mission of the Catholic-Jewish Dialogue is to engage Catholics and Jews in understanding our past history and advancing the cause of mutual understanding and appreciation of our differences, as well as our commonalities. Copies of the book may be purchased at Barnes and Noble or on Amazon.com.

PJ Library invites children and families to: Tu B’Shevat Storytime Sunday, January 24 6:00-6:30 PM EST. Register Here. Free event. Wear your PJ’s and join us on Zoom! Tu B’Shevat is considered the New Year of the Trees, and marks the start of spring in Israel, when trees begin to bloom after a long, cold winter. Tu B’Shevat is often referred to as Jewish Arbor Day, but with today’s keen environmental awareness, it has also become something of a Jewish Earth Day.

Tu B’Shvat Webinar Program Tuesday, January 26, 2021 at 12 pm EST Register Here   We’ll be featuring friends and former colleagues, Dr. Elaine Solowey and David Lehrer of the Arava Institute for Environmental Studies in Israel, to talk about the miracle story of how Dr. Solowey was able to recreate the long extinct native Judaean Date Palm, which just this past year produced fruit. For those not in the know, when Israel is written about as “a land flowing with milk and honey,” the honey being referred to is the honey extracted from the native Judaean date, and no one has known what that tasted like for thousands of years…until now.   In case you want to know a little bit more about the story, here’s a video.

Understanding Senior Housing in SWFL Guest presenter: Bruce B. Rosenblatt Senior Housing Solutions, Owner/Senior Housing Expert  Wednesday, January 27 10:00-11:00 am Register Here Free to the entire community. Bruce Rosenblatt, a national senior housing expert and owner of Senior Housing Solutions, a local senior housing referral company will provide insight about the senior housing market in Southwest Florida including the types and costs of the various options, CCRC contract types, when to know when you are ready, pros/cons of bringing in help, how a long term care insurance applies to a senior living community, the role of a senior housing advisor, and much more.   To learn more, go to www.seniorhousingsolutions.net

February Virtual Programs

Jewish Disability Advocacy Month, February 2021 Repairing the World: Disability Inclusion Guest speakers Ben and Rachel Dubin Monday, Feb. 1 1:00-2:00 PM EST Register Here Free to the entire community. A program featuring Ben Dubin and his daughter, Rachel, who is deaf, will discuss inclusion of individuals with disabilities in the Jewish and secular community. Please join us to hear their story via Zoom. Please register for this free program. This program is co-sponsored with MCA and is open to the entire community.

Naples Jewish Congregation presents Artist in Residence Program Spirituality of Laughter with Rabbi Bob Alper Thursday, Feb. 4, 2021  7 PM EST Register Here  This program explores humor in ancient and modern Jewish tradition, and considers why laughter has been such an integral part of Jewish culture. This is a free event. Please register one per household. Please note: The Zoom link will be emailed 2 hours before each event to those who registered. Contact Renee HERE with any questions or concerns.

Truth be Told: What Women Need to Know to Stay Young at Heart in 2021—a free, virtual, Ms.Medicine event, featuring new Ms.Medicine Naples provider Dr. Lorna Stewart and Dr. Lisa Larkin, women’s health experts.      Wednesday, Feb. 17, 2021 from 9:30-10:45 AM EST Register Here. Free event. Lorna Stewart, MD & Associates Primary Care and Women’s Health Physician, Ms.Medicine Affiliated Practice, Naples, FLA “Women and Heart Disease: Gender Discrepancies in Care” Lisa Larkin, MD, FACP, NCMP, IF Women’s Health Internist, Founder & CEO, Ms.Medicine, Founder and CEO Lisa Larkin MD and Associates, Treasurer, Board of Trustees, North American Menopause Society, Founder, Cincinnati Sexual Health Consortium, Cincinnati, OH “Preventing Breast Cancer: What Women Need to Know”

The books are always free to participants, a gift from the Harold Grinspoon Foundation in partnership with a local Jewish organization in each community. Jewish children are eligible to receive age-appropriate books from PJ Library from birth through 12 years old. For more information about PJ Library, contact Renee  Join PJ Library

December Federation Star Visit our website Facebook

Scholarships & Awards Deadlines are fast approaching. Click here for more information.

COLLIER EDUCATOR GRANT “STAND UP FOR JUSTICE” A monetary grant will be made to the educator whose lesson(s) and/or activity(s) is selected as best meeting the criteria. Requirements are due by February 12, 2021.

The Jewish Federation of Greater Naples, Patricia J. Adkins Youth Leadership Award will be given to honor the achievements of Greater Collier County high school seniors. A one-time award of $2,500 each will be given to 2 deserving seniors.  Deadline:JANUARY 1, 2021

The Jewish Federation of Greater Naples has a proud tradition and responsibility of helping our Jewish youth with scholarships for various Jewish camps and programs available throughout the country and the world.. Scholarship deadlines: Summer Camps: December 18 Israel Programs: February 5

JHSSWF Annual Fundraiser is really happening! 10th Anniversary Virtual Celebration with Naples 4-Time Mayor Bill Barnett will start off Florida Jewish History Month with a much anticipated unique event that will include the premiere of a new film in the ongoing Southwest Florida Jewish Pioneers film series, Mayor With A Heart, will be on Zoom. Other items on the program are top secret. Thursday, Jan. 7, 2021 3:00-5:00 PM on Zoom Tickets are $72 To purchase tickets, please email: office@jhsswf.org or mail checks payable to JHSSWF, 8805 Tamiami Trail North, Ste. 225, Naples, FL 34108. Ticket price includes 2021 membership to The Society and is tax-deductible.

BBYO is looking for advisors. Have you considered advising for BBYO? Advising is a volunteer position that requires about 8-10 hours of your time a month to make a huge impact in the Jewish teen community in Naples. BBYO Naples is searching for advisors for our girl's and boy's chapters. BBYO advisors volunteer in communities throughout North America and beyond serving as positive Jewish role models working in partnership with staff members to supervise and guide chapters. It is an extremely meaningful role that will leave an impact on you and Jewish teens in your community forever. If you are interested, reach out to Jess Zimmerman, Associate Regional Director, at jesszimmerman@bbyo.org. Or you can fill out this form and we will reach out to you.

Local Links

For all Men's Cultural Alliance Members, click here to stay connected. Not an MCA member? Men, click here to join. For all Women's Cultural Alliance Members, click here to stay connected. Not a WCA member? Women, click here to join. Additional local organizations. Click each one to take you to their website. BBYO. BBYO Facebook page. BBYO is using On Demand’s global reach to launch a number of new initiatives with partners that benefit the greater Jewish community. Click here for BBYO On Demand. Jewish Historical Society of Southwest Florida Holocaust Museum & Cohen Education Center The Holocaust Museum & Cohen Education Center is now offering an original and fun 56 piece Anne Frank mural puzzles (size 8” x 9.75”). This is the mural you see when you enter the Holocaust Museum & Cohen Education Center. Photomosaic by Robert Silvers and with appreciated support from Silvie and Herb Berkeley. CLICK HERE for more information. Naples Senior Center at JFCS

Congregation Links

You, the congregation, and the Jewish community benefit when you do. •YOU GET the Jewish enrichment and spiritual nourishment you are seeking. •YOU GET the rabbinical support you need in times of joy and sorrow. •YOU RECONNECT with your community and your Jewish roots. •YOU CAN PARTICIPATE in a variety of services, classes and programs that keep Judaism alive and flourishing in Collier County. •THE CONGREGATION IS THE INSTITUTION that has sustained the Jewish people for two millennia throughout the world. Orthodox, Conservative, Reconstructionist or Reform, the Jewish community wins when you join the congregation of your choice.

Synagogue Services Click on each synagogue name to take you to their website. Beth Tikvah Chabad Jewish Congregation of Marco Island Naples Jewish Congregation Temple Shalom.

Additional Links & Programs

JDAM, Jewish Disability Advocacy Month, February 2021. A month of education, solidarity-building, and empowerment in support of people with disabilities, powered by the Jewish Federation of North America. Click here to learn more. Hear from thought leaders and experts about the current state of disability rights, and what can be done to promote the best inclusion and supportive care practices. Click here to register. ISRAELIS-IN-CT (VIRTUAL) HEBREW CONVERSATION CLUB, 1st & 3rd Sundays, 5-6:30 PM. We welcome all Hebrew levels, from beginner to native speaker! We read and translate Hebrew material, engage in simple conversation, and learn about Jewish and Israeli cultures. It's a friendly group where we share laughter and enjoy a warm camaraderie. INFO HERE. Coffee Break with The Deputy Consul General of Israel in Miami: Kasa Bainesay Harbor. Every Tuesday at Noon on zoom. Meeting ID: 898 2992 8070 Password: Coffee! Register here Jewish National Fund offers incredible virtual experiences for you from the comfort of your own home. From cooking events to virtual tours of Israel, you can find the right complimentary program for you at jnf.org/ondemand. 2020 Diller Teen Tikkun Olam Awards. Seeking teen leaders changing the world. Applications are now open. Apply or nominate a teen today to win $36,000. Click here for more information. Jewishlive.org curates an online hub of valuable live-streaming Jewish and Jew-ish experiences. Click here for the JewishLIVE calendar. American Jewish Committee presents ADVOCACY ANYWHERE, which is an ongoing virtual programming series that enables viewers to engage with AJC’s leading expertise, content, and advocacy opportunities from wherever you are, using cutting-edge technology.  Click here for AJC programs. Sharsheret's team of social workers is available around the clock to provide ongoing confidential and free support for women, men and caregivers facing breast and ovarian cancer. Please call 866-474-2774 or info@sharsheret.org. For virtual Sharsheret programs, click here. JewishTogether.org - A virtual community and informative resources powered by Jewish Federations of North America. View Calendar of events here. iVision LIVE webinars. Join the live daily e-sessions on Israel- related topics with people from around the world. Click here to register.